Bait bucket or aerated bait buckets

Good Day everyone,

I've got yet another newbie question.

The question is this, What are the drawbacks of a simple Plano bait bucket versus an aerated livewell? In the kayak fishing video, the host used a Plano style bucket and it seemed like a simple yet efficient way of keeping your bait alive. It seems though, that most of the pictures I view and comments that I read, are in regards to the aerated variety. I've searched the NCKA archives, and it does seem that aerated live wells are the way to go, I'm just not sure why.

Thanks again,

Omar

Many of us don't use either.
I switched to a bait tube and like it a lot better.
Check them out here:  http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/bb/index.php?topic=2624.msg21160#msg21160
Advantages are that you can leave it in the water while you paddle and it takes up a lot less room, won't slap the hull of your yak and stores easily when you are done using it. Oh yea,  no power supply needed either.

That's great, seems much easier to use and make. Can't believe that I never heard of them before.

Thank you,

Omar

Tote,

just curious what the snare is for?

Thanks for your patience,

Omar

Most people use snares for sturgeon. They are illeagal to gaff and most are too big for a net.

The snare?? Bill is only partly right. My girlfriend digs it!!!!!!!

I went out and built a bait tube yesterday. Got the parts from Home Depot, couldn't find a plastic expansion plug so I used a metal one. It seems like the extra weight could help keep it submerged. I'll find out soon enough. I'll post a couple of pics after work.

Really appreciate the help Tote,

Omar

Tote, here are the pics. I can't believe how easy it was to make . It's a little bit on the long side (about 26in) so I'll probably cut it down and Goop the top on. I think the metal cap should work, might corrode after I while, we'll see.

Have a good one,

Omar

Nice job Omar. Looks good. If you noticed the rope on mine it is to prevent the cap from falling in the water when I unscrew it. You might want to think about doing something to prevent that from happening. Drop it in the water and you will soon see how screwed you are from unscrewing. 

Tote,

that makes a lot of sense. I can't wait to actually try it out. It seems like I'll have all of the accessories for kayak fishing, before I even have a kayak (that will change by the end of the month).  A gaff seems like an easy thing to make as well. AH!, next project.

Omar

Doug / Marmite and his "pimped-out" bait tube 

Holy Smokes!!!

I've got a lot to learn. Nice job and great idea Mooch. What are the funnel and green thing???, for?

Omar

Omar, I defer this question to Doug - it's actually his design. I believe the green thing is actually used as a drain plug of some sort. The funnel is the top end and it makes the tube more stream line when your on the go.....

Regarding Bait Tube:

Joel pretty much said it all. This was made from a length of 3" ABS pipe so it would float.  Everyone was using 2" it seems but I wanted to try out a larger size because I catch some larger bait that I could use but they tend to die on a stringer and are a pain to haul around when on the move.  I have fabricated a live well (see pic) to utilize the irregular rear portion of my Tarpon 140 but, like many, want to go lighter if I can. At almost 8.5 pounds per gallon of water, any water in a tank well will weigh you down, slow you down and make you less stable since it's all weight above the waterline.

The green end caps are made from drainage traps as Joel pointed out.  I routed off the flange to a smooth beveled edge to reduce water resistence.  The rear cap is screwed in place.  the forward cap is removable in case I want to pour in bought bait such as anchovies.  The cap fits somewhat snuggly but it slides out on the rope once the spring loaded retention clip on the rope is released.  The blue funnel slides loosely on the rope and will float off when stationary so maximize refreshing of the water.  When moveing the funnel slides up against the end cap to make the unit more streamline.

I made a hinge door to facilitate removal and as a way to see how the bait was doing and to aid in selecting them.  It's made of lexan and has a velcro tab to secure it. (Didn't have small brass screws at the time so these will obviously need replacement.)

I took it out at the derby but didn't really use it because we didn't stop for bait and when I caught kingfish and dabs and sent them down, nothing wanted them anyway.  So I can't vouch for how well it will work, especially for "tender" bait like anchovies.  I think it would work for more resiliant bait like the 12" smelt that I caught as I came in.  I would have liked to have had enough time to have trolled him awhile.  I did determine that it needs a little lead inside to weigh it down since its a little too bouyant and rides up too high when moving through the water.

Doug

Holy Smokes!!!

I've got a lot to learn.
Omar

Sorry, I had to quote my self on that one. Wow, a lot of thought and work went into it. I appreciate the time it took you to explain that to me, Thanks! I think that I'll keep mine simple for now and figure out what adjustments or customization needs to be done as I learn.

Doug, your kayak is set up very nicely by the way. Looks like some sort of factory set up. Clean!

Great feedback! Much appreciated.

Omar